Brake means for railway-cars and the like.



I 2 g Q0120 bx/amel- Q I W. J. MILLER. BRAKE MEANS FOR RAILWAY CARS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. I9I4.

1,1 58,706. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

IL II J- WHM ewes W. J. MILLER.

BRAKE MEANS FOR RAILWAY CARS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. I914.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WW m m W. J. MILLER.

BRAKE MEANS FOR RAILWAY C'ARS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 4. 1914.

1 ,1 58,706. Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

STATES PATENT @FFIQE.

WILLIAM J. MILLER, or LOGANSPORT, INDIANA.

BRAKE MEANS FOR RAILWAY-CABS AND THE LIKE.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, IVILLIAM J. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Logansport, in the county of Cass and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and provide means of the above-mentionedchar- V acter, which may be thrown into action by the brakeman or attendant without excessive exertion upon his part, and witho-utexpo-s ing him to undue danger or accidents. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide brake-means of the above-mentioned character, which is operated by a wheel or wheels of the car after being manually actuated.

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above-mentioned character, which is simple in construction, durable, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, convenient in use, and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent through the course of the following description. In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same, Figure 1 is a side elevation of apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a. horizontal sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an end elevation ofthe apparatus. Fig. 4 is V a vertical transverse sectional view taken on line 4+4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a similar view taken on' line 55 of Fig. 1, and Figr6 is a perspective view of brake-locking means.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose or: illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates the body of a car, shown for the purpose of illustration as an ordinary'boxcar. Arranged below and near the ends of the body 10 are truck-frames 11 and 12, carrying flanged wheels 13. These trucks are pivotally connected with the body 10, in any well known orpreferred manner. The numeralsli, 15 and 16 designate longitudinal Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915.

Application filed December 4, 1914. Serial No. 875,451.

fer-red type. This brake mechanism comprises brake-shoes 17 disposed for engagement with the flanged wheels 13. These brake-shoes are carried by transverse brakebeams 18, pivotally connected With hangers 19, as shown. Disposed near each inner brake-beam 18 is a vertically inclined lever v20, pivotally connected between its end as shown at 21, with a bracket 22, rigidly mounted upon the adjacent inner brakebeam. The lower end of the vertically inclined lever 20 is pivotally connected with a longitudinally extending link 23, extending below the brake-beams 18, as shown. The opposite end of the longitudinally extending link 23 is pivotally connected as shown at 24, with the lower end of a vertically inclined swinging lever 25, having pivotal connection between its ends, as shown at 26, with a bracket 27, rigidly attached to the outer brake-beam '18. At the upper end, this vertically inclined lever is pivoted, as shown at 28 with a bracket 29, rigidly secured to a po-rtion of the truck-frame.

From the foregoing description, it is obvious that when the upper end of each of the vertically inclined levers 20 is swung inwardly, the two sets of brake-shoes will be moved into clamping engagement with the flanged wheels, to stop the car.

The numeral 30 designates a horizontal swinging lever having its inner end pivoted to the longitudinal beam 15, as shown at 31. The opposite end of the lever 30 has pivotal connection with a. link, cable, or other nonextensible connecting element 32, having pivotal connection with the end of the adj acent inclined lever 20, as shown.

The numeral 33udesignates a second horizontal swinging lever, pivoted between its ends as shown 'at 34, to the longitudinal beam. 16, as shown. Pivotally connected with one end of the lever 33 is a link, cable, or other non-extensible connecting element 35, having pivotal connection with the adjacent inclined lever 20.

The numeral 36 designates a common operating lever pivoted between its ends, as shown at 37, to the longitudinal beam 16. A link or like element 38 pivotally connects the lever. 36 with the lever 30 while a link or like element 39 pivotally connects the lever 36 with the lever 33.

Rigidly connected with the longitudinal beam 16 is a laterally extending horizontal bearing or bracket 40, receiving a stud-shaft V 41, which carries a worm Wheel 42, as shown.

This worm wheel carries spool or grooved pulley 43 arranged upon the outer side thereof and rigidly secured thereto- Pivotally secured to the normal upper side of the grooved pulley or spool 43 is a chain or other flexible'element 44, having connection with one end of the level-"36. Itis obvious that upon the rotation of the spool 43 in either direction. from the normal position, the flexible element 44 will be wound thereon, and the lever 36swung to apply the brakes.

Extending longitudinally upon the outer side of the longitudinal beam 16 is a' rotatable longitudinal movable driving shaft 45, extending through brackets or bearings 46 and 47, as shown. This driving shaft is provided with a worm 48 engaging the Worm wheel 42, as shown; Disposed upon opposite sides of the bearing. 46 and surrounding theend portion of the longitudinaldriving shaft 45 are stifl coil-springs 49 engaging the bearing and stop-sleeves 5O rigidly secured to the operating shaft 45. The function of these coil springs is to normally prevent the longitudinal movement of the driving shaft 45," in either direction, but'to permitthe longitudinal movement of the same in either direction, when its rotation is opposedbeyond a fully described.

Means are provided to positively lockthe driving shaft '45 against rotation, when the same moves longitudinally in either direction.- Such means comprises a tapered rotatable brake-member 51, rigidly secured to the shaft 45, and decreasing in diameter toward its opposite ends. Disposed inwardly of and in'engagement with the rotatable brake-member 51 is a brake-shoe 52, having an outer longitudinally curved or concaved surface, receiving and engaging with the brake-member 51 as shown. .The

'brake-shoe 52 is pivotally connected'with' a bracket 53, rigidly secured to the longitudr' nal beam 16, by a vertical pin 54 as shown. Stiff coil-springs 55 are arranged upon opposite sides of the vertical pivot 54 and engage the opposite ends of the shoe 52 to normally retain the same in the transverse position at a right angle to the longitudinal beam 16. lVhen the operating shaft 45 is in the normal longitudinal position, before be; ing moved longitudinally ineither direction, the tapered brake-member 51 is 'arranged centrally Within the concaved surface of the brake-shoe 52, and while engaging therewith the same permits of the rotation of the operating shaft 45; However,

upon the longitudinal movement of the 0perating shaft 45 in either direction, .the

brake member .51 is moved longitudinally with respect to the shoe 52, which is yield; mglyretained in the normal position at a tension secured to'which isa heavyretracpredetermined degree, as will be more able shaft 60, carrying a friction member 61, whichls tapered and decreases in diameter right angle to longitudinal beam 16, whereby the binding or clamping engagement between the elements 51- and 52 is substantially I increased with the result. that the operating shaft '45 is securely heldhgainst further ro- .9

tation in either direction.

Meansare provided to release the brakemember 51 from-gthe shoe 52, when the former is being held against rotation by the latter. The operating shaft 45 extends through the bracket or hearing 47 as above stated, and .isjournaled within an elongated slot formed therein, whereby the shaft 45 is adapted to partake of. perceptible 1 lateral; movements away from'the brake-shoe- 52. 'Pivoted upon'the operating shaft 45 is a shifting cam 55, carrying an. upwardly-eX- tending lever 56, asshown. -At thelower end of. this cam is provided a depending exv tile coil spring 58', attached to the longitudi-. nal beam 16. The extension or lever 56 engages a: lug '59 secured uponthe bracket 47 whereby the outward swinging movement of a r the same. is positively-limited. It is thus seen that the spring 581 normally-servesto hold the operating. shaft 45 against lateral toward its opposite ends as shown. -The. frict1on member 61 is arranged inwardly ofand near the flange 62 carried by one ofthe 7 wheels 13, as shown; When the longitudinally movable shaft 45 is .the normal longitudinal position, the largest portion or crest of the frictionpulley61 engages the crest :of the annular flange 62 said annular flange embodying oppositely arranged 'nclined faces 63. The shaft 60 isadapt'ed to be laterally shifted in a substantially horizontal plane and isjournaled through an elongated opening 64 in a transversely movr able bearing 65, operating within a stationary laterally extending guide 66,-which is rigidly attached to the longitudinal beam'16.

When the friction member61 is moved laterally and outwardly to engage with the flange 62, the shaft 60 is rotated, which rotationis imparted to the shaft 45, whereby the brakes will be applied'. 1. Manually operated means are provldedto swing thefriction member 61 into engage ment with theiflange 62-and.to swing the 136 bral're-pulley 52 out of engagement with the brakeshoe 52, the same COIIIPIlSlllg a longitudmal rock-shaft 65, ournaled to bearings 66, as shown. As more clearly shown in Fig. 3, this rock shaft is-provide'd at its outer end with a' laterally extending crank 67 having pivotal connection with an upstanding link 67-. The link 67 has pivotal connection'with a vertically swinging manually operated lever 68 arranged a convenient distance above the floor extension 55' of the body portion 10 of the car. The lever 68 is pivoted to the body portion 10 of the car, as shown. at 69. Pivotally connected with the sameend of the body portion 10 of the car, adjacent the top thereof, as shown at 70, is a manually operated vertically swinging lever 71, having pivotal connection with a depending link 72, which in turn is pivotally connected with the link 67 It is obviwardly to bring member-6l into frictional engagement with, the flange 62, when either lever 68 or 71 is swung downwardly. At its extreme inner end, the rock shaft 65 is pro vided with a crank Tet arranged outwardly of and near the lever 56, to engage therewith and swing the same inwardly to release the brake pulley 51 when either of the levers 68 and 71 are swung upwardly.

The operation of the apparatus is as fol lows z- Jvhenthe car is moving and it desired to apply the brakes to stop the same, the brakeman or attendant swings either of the levers 68 and 'il downwardly whereby rock shaft 65 is turned, the crank 7 3-swung outwardly, and the friction-member. 61 movedinto frictional engagement'with the flange 62. Thish'aving been done, the rota: tion of the wheel '13 is imparted to the shaft (50, which accordingly rotates the shaft &5. The shaft 45 turns the worm which turns the worm-wheel 42 and the spool 43. chain o l-flexible element 4:3 is now wound upon the spool 12 whereby the lever 36 is swung in one direction. VJ hen this lever 36 is swung, as above stated, the levers 20 are swung to apply the brakes. At first, the springs 48 are suiiicientlystiif to prevent longitudinal movement 'of the shaft 45. 'When the application of the brakes increases beyond a predetermined degree, the resistance of one of thesprings 48 (depending in the direction of travel of the car) is overcome, whereby the-shaft. 45 vpartakes of a slight longitudinal movement in onetdirec The tion. Upon this longitudinal movement the brake member 51 has locked engagement with the brake-shoe 52, whereby when the friction member 61 engages the cam 62, the shaft M; will be held against rotation. The shaft to is thus locked against rotation, until either of the levers 68 or 71 are swung upwardly, whereby rock shaftf65 isturned in an opposite direction, crank 74: swung inwardly, and the cam 55 swung for effecting an outward lateral movement of the shaft 45, moving the friction member 5 1 out of clamping engagement with the brakeshoe 52, and the releasing the brakes. It is obvious that the apparatus will operate with the car running in opposite directions.

It is to be understood that the form of my inventionherein shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed, is i v 1; The combination with brake mechanism ofa railway vehicle, of means to operate the brake mechanism including a longitudinally movable rotatable shaft, means to rotate the shaft and means to automatioallyl ock the shaft against rotation upon the longitudinal movement thereof in one direction.

2. The combination with brake. mechanism of a railway vehicle, of means to operate the brake mechanism including a longitudinally movable rotatable shaft, means to lock the shaft against rotation upon the longitudinal movement thereof in both directions, and means to release the shaft after the same has been locked against rotation.

3. The combination with brake mechanism of a railway vehicle, of a rotatable and longitudinally movable shaft carried by the vehicle, yielding meansto oppose the longitudinal movement of the shaft in one direction, driving connecting means between the shaft and the brake mechanism, means to rotate the shaft, and means to hold the shaft against rotation upon its longitudinal movement. 1

l. The combination with a wheeled ve hicle, ofbrake mechanism carried thereby, means embodying a longitudinally movable shaft to operate the brake mechanism,

means to automatically lock the shaft against rotation upon its longitudinal movement in one direction, and a member connected with the shaft and movable into and out of engagement with a wheel of thevehicle.

5. The combination with a wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby, means embodying a longitudinally movable rotatable shaft to operate the brake mechanism, a tapered brakemember carried by the shaft to move longitudinally therewith, a brake shoe arranged in proximity to the brake member to engage therewith, and

means to rotate the shaft.

.6. The combination with a wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanismcarried thereby.

means embodying a longitudinally movable rotatable shaft to operate the brake mechanism, yielding means to oppose the longitudinal movement of the shaft 1n one direction, a brake member carried by the shaft, a co-actlng brake member arranged to engage with the first-named brake member,

and means to rotate the shaft. v V

7 The combination with a wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby,

means embodying a longitudinallymovable shaft to operate the brake mechanism,

springs to oppose the longitudinal move{ ment of the shaft in both directions, a ta-' friction member into and out of engagement with the wheel. Y Y

18. The combination with a wheeled ve hicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby, means embodying a longitudinally movable shaft to operate the brake mechanism, ataperedbrake member carried by the shaft, a co-acting brake shoe provided with a concave face to engage with the brake member, means to pivotally support the brake shoe, springs to yield'ingly oppose the swinging movement of the brake shoe, means to yieldingly oppose the longitudinal movement of the shaft in either direction, and a friction member connected with the shaft and movable into and. out of engagement with the wheel of the vehicle. Y

9. The combination with a wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby, means embodying a worm wheel to operate the brake mechanism, a longitudinally movable rotatableshaft having a worm engaging the worm wheel, means to yieldingly op pose the longitudinal movement of the shaft in either direction, means to lock the shaft against rotation upon such longitudinal movement, a member connected with the shaft and movable into engagement with a wheel of the vehicle, and manually operated means to shift the member toward and away from the wheel. Y

10. The combination with a wheeled vehicle, ofbrake mechanism carried thereby, means embodying a longitudinally movable rotatable shaft to operate the brake mecha-.

and out of engagementwith the wheel of the vehicle,and common manually operated means to operate the device and member.

11. The combination with a wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby, means to I. operate the brake mechanism em-. bodying a rotatable'member,;means to lock the member against rotation, means to ro- Q tate the member, a earn-pivoted upon the.

member, a stationary cam "track to engage with the cam, a springconnected with the cam to move the same 1n one direction, and

manually operated meansto move the 'cam' in an opposite directionm opposit1on to the spring. a

12. The combination. with a wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby,

ing means against movement upon, the

brakes being set at a predetermined pressure. 1

13. The combination witha wheeled vehicle, of brake mechanism carried thereby, driving means for thebrake mechanism, a

driving shaft pivoted to the driving means,

a laterally extending guide secured to the vehicle, a bearing mounted to move within the guide and receiving the driving shaft therein, a member carried by the driving shaft toengage and disengage a wheel of the vehicle, anda rock shaft having a crank to engage the driving shaft and laterally shift the same.-

14. The combination with brake mechanism of a vehicle, of a rotatable and longitudinally movable element carried byjthe vehicle, yielding means to oppose the longitudinal movement of the element in one direction, driving connecting means between the element and the brakemechanism, means to rotate the element, means to hold the element against rotation upon its longitudinal movement, and separate means to release the element whereby it is free to rotate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. MILLER. Witnesses: p

EARL J. HAvmv, THOS. R. GILnEsPIE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the .f Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. C. Y Y 

